Although Havana is arguably more of a playground for adults than children, there are still a number of things for the kids to do. The colourfully quirky city itself will likely interest most children who are old enough to walk, and the beaches, ubiquitous music and little parks all provide plenty of diversions.

Coppelia
Cuba’s national ice cream company is one of the most famous things about the country next to music, cigars and rum. The main branch of Coppelia is right in the heart of Havana, and makes a really memorable stop for the kids. The large street side patio is always full of happy customers and the constant long line is a testament to the quality of the ice cream. Only a couple of flavours are offered each day, but it’s well worth the wait to taste Cuba’s finest on a warm afternoon.

La Maestranza Park
In the heart of Old Havana, you will find a city park that runs for two blocks and is completely devoted to entertaining young children. Although decidedly low-tech, the simple activities such as pony rides, playgrounds and the miniature train usually keep the kids happy. Don’t be surprised to see a few clowns running around and perhaps best of all, the park is always full of Cuban families and their children, offering a rare chance for the little ones to get some cultural interaction.

National Aquarium
Although it pales in comparison to world-class marine parks like SeaWorld, Cuba’s National Aquarium does a decent job of presenting the native sea habitats found around the region. Animal shows featuring dolphins and sea lions are crowd-pleasers and the different aquarium tanks and pools have lots to look at. The Subaquatic Restaurant, with its massive window into the dolphin pool, offers an unusual place to eat. Another bonus is that the aquarium is hugely popular with Cuban families, so the kids will get to see and perhaps even meet some locals their own age.

Anyone who has been to Havana will tell you that this romantically crumbling Caribbean city simply oozes charm and style. The architecture is wonderful and the residents even more so. Life flows by at a languid pace during the day, offering endless opportunities to wander the different neighbourhoods of the city. But after dark it’s another story as incredible Cuban music, dancing and drinking fill every nook and cranny. There are dozens of excellent attractions, from city squares and museums to Spanish colonial forts, and the tour industry is well-developed to help you if you need it.

Callejon de Hammel
Salvador Gonzalez is one of Cuba’s most brilliant spiritual artists and this alleyway, which runs for two blocks, is literally covered with his work. The bright colours of his murals, which depict life-sized Afro-Cuban gods and other distinctly Afro-Cuban themes, are stunning. Gonzalez has a gallery here, but there are also other crafts, food and drink for sale at the outdoor market. Every Sunday, the alley comes alive with an Afro-Cuban music and dance shows headed by one of the city’s premier bands.

Castillo de la Real Fuerza
Not only is this the oldest fort in Havana, it’s the oldest in the entire hemisphere. Built in the 16th century, the fort wasn’t really that effective at keeping intruders out of the city. But its stone battlements and drawbridge are remarkably well-preserved, filling the scene with a tangible sense of history. This is also the home of Havana’s iconic symbol, La Giraldilla, the distinctive weathervane which caps the fort.

Cathedral de San Cristobal
One of the star attractions in Old Havana is this classic Baroque church built in the 16th century and the wonderfully lively plaza which surrounds it. Most visitors come to check out the collection of antiques and religious art adorning the interior, but the austere character of this cathedral is equally impressive. For a real experience, try to attend Mass, which happens periodically at night throughout the week, and of course, on Sunday mornings.

El Malecon
Perhaps the most visited part of Havana is this seaside pedestrian walkway which runs for many kilometres along the city’s coastline. This is undoubtedly the social focal point for many Cubans, as they come to fish, swim or simply stroll along the path. The diversity of scenery is unbeatable, with crumbling old buildings in a range of styles lining the street that runs parallel to the Malecon. Walk far enough and you’ll pass Old Havana, dodging the breaking waves that often crash over the seawall on blustery days.

Fabrica de Tabaco Partagas
When most people think of Cuba they think of cigars, and even if you don’t smoke them yourself, you may want to check out the old factory where the best cigars in the world are handmade each day. Fabrica de Tabaco Partagas was opened in 1845, and is Cuba’s most famous cigar producer. Not only is the building itself incredibly picturesque, but if you opt to take the daily tour you’ll see workers using the same tools, materials and methods as they did over 150 years ago. This quintessential aspect of Cuban culture should not be missed.

Museo de la Revolucion y Memorial Granma
Ironically housed in the old Presidential Palace, this museum extensively covers the history of Cuba, with particular emphasis on the revolution. At the centre of it all is the Granma, the boat which Castro, Che and 80 other revolutionaries used to famously get on the island in 1956. A number of other military machines are parked around the grounds, but the inside of the museum is filled with interesting relics, exhibits and explanations of Cuba’s long struggle for independence.

Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes
If you want to get a full perspective on the heritage of Cuban art, this is the place. The three floors of this fine arts museum are packed with important art and sculpture by local masters such as Wifredo Lam, Amelia Pelaez and others. The newly renovated building is a pleasure to explore, and after soaking in the Cuban masters you can check out the wider Latin region collections.

Old Havana
One of the most delightful places to wander is Old Havana, where scores of museums and cultural venues stand side-by-side with classic hotels, restaurants, nightclubs and little shops. A number of colonial plazas anchor the district, which is dotted with highlights such as Central Park, the Calle Obispo pedestrian street and the charming daily street market along Calle Tacon which is full of local art and crafts. Most of Havana’s best sites are within Old Havana, so it’s likely you’ll become very familiar with it before you return home.

Despite excelling in many other areas, eating out in Havana is not often considered one of its selling points. This is direct result of the government’s stifling state-run system of restaurant control. Most of the places to eat in Havana are operated by the government, and offer mediocre, overpriced food. The irony is that many of these dull eateries are located in some of the most amazing settings in the city, so you have to take the good with the bad. A better option, if you want to focus on the food more than the view, are the privately-owned restaurants called paladares. By law, these places must be staffed by family members only and can have no more than 12 seats. There are also regulations on the food which can be served in paladares. Items like beef and shrimp are forbidden on the menu, so the owners get as creative as they can to provide delicious alternatives, and in general you’ll find the best authentic cuisine here. Central Havana is the best area for searching out paladares, especially in the Playa, Vedado, and Miramar districts.

Creole is the traditional cuisine of Havana. This wonderful blend of African and Spanish styles offers some unique, fresh and flavourful dishes. Occasionally, hotels are also a good place to find a decent meal. US Dollars are the most reliable form of payment, despite the obvious irony of it.

The shopping scene in Havana, while unquestionably the best in Cuba, mirrors the stifling state-run system of controlling output as seen in the restaurants. Anything beyond basic goods such as shampoo or milk is geared almost exclusively towards tourists. This makes it very difficult to find items which are unique and interesting, not to mention the fact that it makes the whole shopping experience terribly sterile and boring. All shops selling to tourists are run by the state, the largest of which is the Caracol chain, and all goods must be bought with US Dollars.

For items such as cigars, rum and music, Cuba produces some of the finest products oin the world. Cigars are certainly the highlight of any shopping trip to Havana if you or anyone you know back home smokes them. Locally known as puros or habanos, Cuban handmade cigars are the best in the world and are always in high demand. Most shops only sell them by the box, and the cigar factories are the best place to buy. Rum is another top seller, but it’s best if you buy it at the duty-free shop at the airport. Cuba doesn’t have much of a handicraft heritage, but among the more interesting buys are wood carvings, Afro-Cuban religious items and small hand drums. The Calle Tacon street market is the best site for these kinds of things.

Cuban music is one of the country’s greatest exports, and for good reason. The legacy of Cuban music is incredibly famous around the world. Havana is probably the best city to shop for obscure Cuban jazz and salsa, but buy your CDs at the state-run stores, as the ones from the street markets are usually low-grade copies.

If the idea of shopping for everything in government shops is not what you were after, the city’s street markets provide a welcome alternative. Calle Tacon, which covers a full city block, is Havana’s largest and most interesting street market. You can find everything from souvenir Che Guevera t-shirts to local art and other knickknacks. A smaller but equally worthwhile market is Vedado. The jewellery and woodcarvings here are one of its highlights.

Despite being a tropical island in the Caribbean, Cuba isn’t your typical outdoor recreation wonderland. It lacks most of the infrastructure and industry-driven interest found in similar environments. Baseball is the national sport of Cuba and a big hit in Havana. Deep sea fishing off the coast is also a wonderful experience, and naturally, being an island there are plenty of beaches. If you need a break from the city, you can certainly find something to do outdoors.

Baseball
One of the greatest passions of Cubans is baseball, which you’ll quickly come to realise by the tremendous amount of interest, conversation and news coverage given to this sport. Even the players who play in Cuba’s minor leagues are incredibly talented, but the professionals are constantly being lured away to the major leagues of larger countries. Thankfully, many of the best players choose to stay in Cuba, providing its national league with plenty of top-class talent. The baseball season runs from November to May, and you can watch Havana’s top team, the Industriales, play their home games at the Estadio Latinoamericano.

Beaches
Cuba’s premier beach resort destination is Varadero, a beautiful swath of powdery sand and warm emerald water about two hours from Havana. There’s no shortage of water sports, entertainment and food at Varadero, and a tourist bus runs daily to the beach. Closer to home, the Eastern Beaches are a series of nice sandy spots within 30 minutes of the city. Its proximity to Havana means there’s plenty of local flavour and lots of people. Depending on the beach, there are water sports, decent scuba diving sites, hiking trails and even discotheques.

Botanical Gardens
Just on the edge of Havana lies this 600 hectare park covered with greenhouses and specialty gardens. It’s the best site to get a feel for the local flora of Cuba and the perfect escape if you need something calm and relaxing after a few days in the city. Most hotels can arrange this popular excursion for you.

Sportfishing
Ernest Hemingway was a huge fan of sportfishing in Cuba and you can see why he was so impressed by getting out in the sea and trying your luck for some big game fish. Most of the major targets of deep sea fishing can be found off the coast of Cuba, and there are several outfitters who can take you out for a half or full day. Head down to the Marina Tarara or the Cubanacan to get the low down.